Soil Moisture

AUS-TGP-CON-SMO General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 25 to 35 % VWC

Optimal Range: 25 to 35

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The benchmark represents the typical operational range (interquartile range) of topsoil moisture in high-integrity conservation sites, supporting optimal ecological function.

Metric Definition:

Soil volumetric water content (VWC)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the typical range of topsoil moisture in loamy soils within high-integrity conservation areas, supporting optimal ecological function in temperate grassy woodlands and plains.

Justification:

Derived from analysis of conditions at high-integrity reference sites (e.g., TERN) representing the best achievable condition.

Sources (2)

Preview of The important role of soil texture on water - Crops and Soils, accessed July 6, 2025,

The important role of soil texture on water - Crops and Soils, accessed July 6, 2025, GreyLiterature

Infiltration.pdf - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 7, 2025

View Source

Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability...

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Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Drought-related tree death of savanna eucalypts: Species susceptibility, soil conditions and root architecture - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

Drought-related tree death of savanna eucalypts: Species susceptibility, soil conditions and root architecture - ResearchGate

View Source

Global critical soil moisture thresholds of plant water stress - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Soil moisture as an indicator of growing-season herbaceous fuel moisture and curing rate in grasslands - ResearchGate

View Source

Great Western Woodlands Flux Data Collection - TERN Data ..., accessed August 12, 2025,

Direct Evidence Government

Cumberland Plain SuperSite | Biogeochemical Fluxes & Climate

View Source

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 30, 2025,

Methodology Source Government

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia - CSIRO

View Source

Preview of Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability but not to elevated [CO2] - University of Wollongong Research Online

Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability but not to elevated [CO2] - University of Wollongong Research Online

Contextual Support Journal

Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability but not to elevated [CO2] - University of Wollongong Research Online

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents the interquartile range of topsoil moisture. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-CON-SMO family.